1 John 2:12-14

Now let's look at the 2 phrases addressed to the young people. They are very similar with each other, but the second one expands Johns point. The first time John says he is writing to the young people because "you have overcome the evil one" and the second time because "you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one." Again, I wonder if the young people who first heard this were a bit surprised, "I have overcome the evil one?" These are great words that John addresses to the youth. There is so much going on in those years, so many pressures. We all remember, I am sure, the struggles of these years and how everything seems so crucial. It can be very hard to stay anchored. There are plenty of times when one feels anything but strong. Linda, my daughter, is now at this age and we talk a lot about the pressures she faces at school: the pull to "fit in" and all the things that threaten to pull her off center. What great words John says here and how freeing and reassuring they are to those in the midst of youth. John says they have already overcome the evil one. But again, this isn't dependent on them, their own strength. John reminds them that "the word of God abides in you." God has already done a work in you, John is saying, and the battle against the evil one is won. Don't think when you face these daily pressures that assault you that you are defenseless or that the outcome is still to be determined and dependent on you. You can resist evil because God is truly in you and He has overcome.
If you look at John's word to both children and youth, He is reminding them of the truth of who they are in Christ. So that they can hold onto that in the midst of a world that sends other messages.
Now let's look at John's words to fathers. He says the same thing both times to them! I guess he felt it bears repeating and that the most important thing to remind them of is that they know God and that He is from the beginning. Why does he emphasize for the parents that the God they know is the One from the beginning? Well, I think because it is so tempting for fathers (and mothers too!) to believe that parenting is all up to them, that they are in a sense "the beginning"--where the buck stops. But John wants to remind them to keep their perspective in line with the truth. God is the One from the beginning. Before these fathers were fathers, were even thinking of becoming fathers, God was Father. God has always been Father and our parenting is done in that truth. God is my Father, as well as, the Father of my children. I am being Fathered by Him as I am mothering and Gary is fathering our kids. And He Fathers them as well and they grow up to be my brothers and sisters in Christ

God Bless

PamzSpamz